Funding blow for community centre


A SECTION 106 agreement relating to the development of 35 flats on land west of Ec- cleston Road, Tovil, is unlikely to be chan- neled towards a new community centre. In February last year, Middlefield’s Pen-


sion Fund was given permission to develop two six-storey blocks, subject to a S106 agreement to provide 40% affordable hous- ing and money towards local in- frastructure. The applicant now says the af- fordable housing element is not viable, instead agreeing to allo- cate £186,306 towards offsite af- fordable housing, leaving a remaining £55,125 towards com- munity projects. Pleas were made by Tovil


Parish Council, the Coombe Farm & Tovil Development Group and local ward member Cllr Ian Chit- tenden to allocate this money to- wards buying the Archbishop Courtenay Primary School in


FANT ward councillor Stephen Paine agreed with the decision to prioritise a scheme to im- prove the towpath along the Medway. Cllr Ian Chittenden (Lib Dem)


was one of those who wanted the Section 106 money allocated to purchasing a new community centre in the first instance.


Church Road to enable its conversion into a community centre after it becomes vacant. But the moneywill go towards improving


either the Woodbridge Drive Play Area or the riverside towpath in the first instance. If all of the money has not been utilised on these schemes within 12 months of receiv- ing the money, it will be allocated to the


THE range of facilities that could be provided by a new community centre in Tovil were outlined by Coombe Farm & Tovil Development Group vice-chairman Sean Carter. He said the Archbishop Courtney Primary School in Church Road has a large hall, two very large classrooms, several smaller rooms, a con- servatory, modern kitchen and several toilets that could be used by a host of groups.


But Cllr Payne (Con) said: “I understand Cllr Chittenden’s desire to fund this facility, be- cause these are tight economic times and finance is scarce. But I could not allow money allo- cated to improving a dark and dangerous walkway – themain


new community centre. Planning officer Peter Hockney explained


that Maidstone Council’s top priorities are open space and affordable housing, and that these should take precedence over the cre- ation of a community centre. The commit- tee went along with this, with nine votes for, two against and two abstentions.


A ‘now or never’ opportunity


He added: “The objective is


for it to be available for or- ganisations and individuals of all ages at all times.We are in discussions with KCC about getting a library there, Sure Start are interested in using it and we are also look- ing into using it for a medical clinic.


“Other activity clubs such as Backing for towpath decision


access to town for these new flats – to be taken elsewhere. “I do not support his argu-


ment, backed by Cllr Harwood (Lib Dem), that the towpath is fine ‘as it is’ and does not need improvement. The riverside is not just a priority for the area,


bingo and keep fit are inter- ested. It is amazing that the Tovil Brownies have never met in Tovil, so they would also be interested in using the building if we can raise the money. “This is a golden opportu-


nity for this particular com- munity. It is a now or never chance for something to hap- pen for those people in this area.”  Tovil Parish Council to fund new centre – page 22


but a priority for MBC too. It is one of the issues I receive most correspondence about. “The towpath needs improv-


ing; the river is supposed to be the jewel in Maidstone’s crown. This was the correct way for- ward – both in terms of policy and what is right for the bor- ough of Maidstone.”


L to R: Cllr Brian Mortimer, Flt Lt Ash Hampson, head teacher Lorna Priddle, Flt Lt Jimmy Corbin and Lord De L’Isle


Jimmy honoured at his old school A PLAQUE recognising the efforts and dedication of Flight Lieu- tenantWilliam James Corbin during the Battle of Britain was un- veiled at his former Maidstone infant school by the Lord Lieutenant of Kent, Lord De L’isle. ‘Jimmy’ (94) flew with Nos 66 and 610 (County of Chester) Squadrons, gaining a DFC for his personal score of two enemy air- craft destroyed and five damaged, plus various ground operations. The ceremony at StMichael’s School in Douglas Road, was at- tended by family members, the Mayor of Maidstone, Cllr Brian Mortimer and Flt Lt Ash Hampson of No 27 Squadron, Odiham. Jimmy, who lives inWeavering, was recently made an honorary freeman of the borough. He wrote about his life in the RAF in “The Last of the Ten Fighter Boys”.


Industrial disease blamed for death AMAN who died from mesothelioma had been exposed to asbestos in two spells of employment, an inquest atMaidstone heard. Coroner Patricia Harding ruled that retired insurance salesman


Peter Giles, (69), of Tintern Road, Allington, died from the industrial disease following exposure to asbestos between 1956 and 1981. She read a statement made by Mr Giles three months before his


death on October 9 in which he outlined his working life after leaving school at 15. This in- cluded spells at BowatersUKpulp and paper mill at Sittingbourne and later as a mechanic at Drake and Fletcher, ParkWood.MrGiles said he was exposed to asbestos at both these places. His illness was diagnosed in March, the first symptoms having appeared four months earlier.


28 Town


Storage permission DHL Food Retail has been given permission to erect a 3,000 sq m storage building at the 20/20 Business Park, Laver- stoke Road, Allington, on con- dition that the site be restored to its former state as a parking/ yard area within three months of the building no longer being required or its use ceasing.


Hopes for benefits from new development A PLANNING condition was changed to raise the prospect of people in Tovil benefiting from a new development in Hayle Place, Postley Road, Maidstone. Permission for a housing scheme that will include the erection of garages and the cre- ation of a 12.5-hectare country park was originally granted in 2008 but had become extant as construction work had not begun within three years. Maidstone Council’s planning committee agreed to renew the permission, but only if £100,000 distributed by the de- veloper to west Kent PCT as part of the Section 106 agree- ment be broadened out to in- clude a two-mile radius of the site, which would cover Tovil.


Hospital scanner proposal resubmitted


A SCHEME to provide a permanent MRI facility at the Somerfield Hospital is back on the agenda. In 2008, permission was granted to alter an existing outbuilding


to provide the new facility at the hospital in London Road, Maid- stone. The proposal has been resubmitted, with the supporting state-


ment saying: “The applicant is now proposing to use a different MRI scanner (G.E. Healthcare Scanner) and, as a consequence, the internal layout has been revised to reflect the requirements of the equipment supplier (size of examination and technical rooms), and changes to the applicant’s internal requirements.” Maidstone Council will decide on the planning application.


University delight at Ofsted accolade THE University for the Creative Arts,which has campuses inMaid- stone and four other towns, has been rated “good” overall by Ofsted inspectors who focused on its further education courses. The university’s promotion of equality and diversity was con- sidered outstanding. The report said: “Managers and staff have cre- ated a culture of trust leading to high expectations for students and an atmosphere where experimentation and creativity flourish.” Deputy vice-chancellor Professor Mark Hunt said: “We are ex- tremely proud of our FE provision which gives students a solid grounding in the creative arts.We are delighted with the outcome.”


You can e-mail the Downs Mail — info@downsmail.co.uk Officers had previously pro-


posed that the money would support improvements at med- ical centres in Shepway, Mar- sham Street and King Street. Tovil Parish Council wanted


to see the money ring-fenced for facilities within the parish; for example, put towards purchas- ing the existing school building in Church Road when it be- comes vacant in February. The committee was unable to guarantee themoney is spent in Tovil, butthatitwillbeear- marked within two miles of the site.


The exact nature of the devel- opment, which will be on a 16.34-hectare plot, will only be revealed when a full planning application is submitted.


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